The Natural Start Alliance provides a variety of opportunities to connect and support Alliance members, who work in unique ways to bring nature and the environment into early childhood education.
If you don't find the answer to your question here, please email us at [email protected]. We are happy to help!
About the Natural Start Alliance
What is the Natural Start Alliance?
The Natural Start Alliance unites organizations and individuals working toward a future in which every young child has access to high-quality education that includes nature and the environment every day. The Alliance includes over 1,000 organizations such as schools, environmental education centers, non-profit organizations, zoos and aquariums, park districts, professional associations, and more. You can view organizational members on our Alliance Map. In addition to organizational members, the Alliance also includes thousands of individual education professionals and parents.
What does the Alliance do?
The Natural Start Alliance provides a number of opportunities to connect and support Alliance members, who work in unique ways to bring nature and the environment into early childhood education.
What are the key areas of focus?
- Connecting and convening through the annual conference and webinars.
- Resources and research including the International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education (IJECEE) and the Nature-Based Preschool Professional Guidebook.
- Representing the field to increase children's time outside; improving the quality of outdoor environments for children; and ensuring children experience high-quality environmental education in those settings.
Get Involved
How can I get involved with the Alliance?
- Become a member: There is no cost to join the Alliance, and you can add your organization to the growing list of members on the map.
- Stay connected: Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Facebook page, Instagram, Google Group, and early childhood group on NAAEE’s eePRO. The Alliance also hosts forums throughout the year that bring members together to network and learn. Contact us any time through our communications channels, and at [email protected].
- Participate in the conference: Join the Alliance each year at the end of July at the Nature-Based Early Learning Conference, when the field comes together in person or online. The call for presentations is released in December or January each year. Natural Start's parent organization also hosts the NAAEE Annual Conference and Research Symposium annually, and includes early childhood-focused sessions and networking opportunities.
- Join the Graduate Student Network: This informal network of graduate students share a passion for nature-based learning and research in early childhood. We host monthly gatherings, including casual network meetings, formal structured events, and opportunities to connect and network asynchronously. Email to learn more: [email protected].
Join the Alliance!
What does joining the Alliance mean?
By joining the Alliance, you can add your organization to our member map. This provides information to early childhood educators looking for organizations involved in this work.
How can I add my preschool to the map?
Add your preschool's information when you join to be added to the nature preschools map.
How can I share my own events, news, and resources?
Create an account in eePRO to share your news, resources, and events. Make sure to check out the Early Childhood EE group, too!
How can I subscribe to the newsletter?
Fill out the form here.
Conference
Where can I get information on the Natural Start Alliance conference?
Information on the annual conference is available here.
Where can I register for the conference?
Our newsletter provides information on the annual conferences, including registration, fees, and how to attend. The 2025 conference will be virtual on our conference platform. Registration will be linked there as well.
Where do I sign in to attend the virtual conference?
Contact Us
If you have any other questions or need additional help, please email us at [email protected].